Meeting French Culture Minister, Fadli Zon Strengthens Indonesia-France Cultural Diplomacy
Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon is promoting strategic partnerships in the cultural sector between Indonesia and France. This support was expressed during a bilateral meeting with the French Republic’s Culture Minister Catherine Pégard during a working visit to Paris on Wednesday (22/4).
The meeting also serves as a follow-up to the Joint Declaration on Cultural Strategy (Borobudur Declaration), initiated by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron. This declaration provides a strategic framework for strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Fadli stated that the meeting is an important momentum to ensure the implementation of cultural cooperation proceeds in a tangible and sustainable manner. He emphasised that Indonesia is pushing for cooperation that is not merely symbolic but also produces concrete programmes that directly impact the cultural ecosystems of both countries.
“Indonesia-France cooperation in the cultural sector must continue to develop in a concrete, reciprocal, and long-term impactful manner, both for cultural practitioners and for strengthening cultural diplomacy on the global stage,” Fadli explained in his statement on Friday (24/4/2025).
In the meeting, both Culture Ministers affirmed that Indonesia-France cooperation in the cultural sector continues to develop significantly, particularly in the areas of cultural heritage, museums, creative industries, and digital cultural transformation. Both countries also welcomed the achievements that have been attained and committed to expanding collaboration in various fields.
In addition, both parties witnessed the signing of two cooperation agreements, namely between École du Louvre and the Indonesia Heritage Agency (IHA), and between Centre des Monuments Nationaux (CMN) and InJourney. This cooperation represents a concrete step in strengthening institutional collaboration.
In more detail, this cooperation covers the development of the Borobudur and Prambanan areas, strengthening the Museum Academy, and organising Indonesian exhibitions at the Guimet Museum. Both parties also encourage joint research and studies with EFEO and the protection of cultural heritage affected by climate change through the ALIPH framework.
In the creative industries sector, collaboration is expanded to fields such as film, music, fine arts, and literature. In the film sector, cooperation is directed towards the sustainability of the Indonesia-France Film Lab, as well as strengthening collaboration with La Fémis and CNC. Then, participation in international forums, such as the Cannes Film Festival, Critics’ Week, Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and co-production meetings in Paris in December 2026.
Meanwhile, in the literature sector, both countries agreed to promote the strengthening of the Choix Goncourt Indonésie programme, Read Indonesia, and cooperation with The Centre national du livre, including various residency and literature festival programmes.
In addition, digital cultural transformation also received joint attention, particularly in aspects of cultural data governance, digitisation of cultural assets, and the development of co-creation based on digital cultural heritage.